Boerhaave's syndrome is oesophageal rupture as a result of forceful vomiting or retching against a closed cricopharyngeus. We report the case of an 81-year-old man with oesophageal rupture secondary to volvulus of an intrathoracic stomach who underwent laparotomy with a repair of the oesophageal perforation and intrathoracic stomach, making a good recovery. This case demonstrates another life-threatening complication of an intrathoracic stomach and highlights the importance of an early diagnosis and the advantages of using a transabdominal approach in this situation.
BoerhaaveH.Atrocis, nec descripti pruis, morbi historia. Secundum medicae artis leges consripta. Lugduni Batavorum Boutesteniana 1724.Bull Med Libr Assoc1955; 43: 217–40.
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AlyA, MuntJ, JamiesonGG, LudemannR, DevittPG, WatsonDI.Laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias.Br J Surg2005; 92: 648–53.
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GriffinSM, LambPJ, ShenfineJ, RichardsonDL, KaratD, HayesN.Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus.Br J Surg2008; 95: 1115–20.
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KhanAZ, StraussD, MasonRC.Boerhaave's syndrome: diagnosis and surgical management.Surg. J R Coll Surg Edinb Ir2007; 5: 39–44.
